At the same time, we were also glad to read Armed Forces of the Philippines’ statement that unless the government sustains development and livelihood projects in Southern Mindanao, terrorism will not only continue, but new leaders will even emerge.
These developments clearly show that the Muslim rebel groups realize that the Armed Forces are not waging a war for war’s sake and the Army realizes that the Muslims do not believe in terrorism per se. Both mean well for the country and the people.
We really believe that peace is very possible in our times. The Philippines was once the model of the country that had Muslim and Christian relations. Yes, there were some disagreements between the Muslim and Christian populations but they were never religious disagreements. Both factions recognized "freedom to worship." Right in Metro Manila, we have mosques in the midst of Christian communities, but you never read or hear of any unrest because of differences in religion. True, we have had some terrorism that have been attributed to Muslims but they are mostly from Muslims who do not even reside in the Philippines. They are, in short, international terrorists. Most of the kidnappings, beheadings and explosions have happened in Iraq, Russia, Turkey and Indonesia. Unfortunately, it has received worldwide publicity and now terrorism is an international problem.
We sincerely believe that the Philippines could be the country that could launch the peace offensive between Muslims and Christians. Way back in 2002, Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid edited a book entitled Muslim and Christian Cultures In Search of Commonalities. Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines Muhir Uz-Zaman has urged Mindanao Muslims to give up alienism and embrace mainstream Filipino social life to enforce peace in Mindanao. Yes, Muslims and Christians can live in peace, not only in the Philippines, but throughout the world. To our Muslim brothers we say "Peace be unto you!"